Corinne Nampijinpa Ryan

Corinne Nampijinpa Ryan is one of six children to Pamela Nungarrayi Ryan. She was born in Alice Springs and attended the Catholic High School where she completed Year 10. Corinne moved to Yuendumu, a remote Aboriginal community 290 kms north-west of Alice Springs, when she married Quentin Japangardi Granites.

Quentin is the son of Alma Nungarrayi Granites (dec). Alma was one of Warlukurlangu Artists most popular and successful artists, renowned for her experimentation with composition and artistic techniques, while remaining true and respectful to her Warlpiri culture.

Corinne has been painting with Warlukurlangu Artist Aboriginal Corporation in Yuendumu since 2007. She paints her husband's Jukurrpa (Dreaming) stories, which relate directly to his land, its features and the plants and animals that inhabit it. She also paints her mother's Jukurrpa, Water Dreaming which depicts a rockhole west of Alice Springs and Warna Jukurrpa, (Snake Dreaming) representing her land east of Papunya.

One of the dominating features of Corinne's Country is the sandhills. They are formed from the wind leaving patterns of parallel rows. In her artworks she uses fine rows of ever diminishing dots that beautifully suggest the transient nature of the desert sand dunes.

Knowledge about the layout of sandhills is a vital part of understanding this Country. Hidden within the labyrinth of sandhills are rockholes and soakages which are critical sources of water in the desert region. Knowledge of the plants that grow around them is also important in locating the best areas for bushtucker.

Corinne finds painting very meditative and spiritual. There is also a beautifully calming nature to her artworks, while also being a striking focal point in any setting.

When she is not painting or looking after her son, Corinne enjoys her home and is house proud, creating a clean home to share with family and friends, and to watch movies.



Copyright Kate Owen Gallery May 2023